Synopses & Reviews
The New York Times Bestseller
A New York Times Notable Book
Carolyn and Ben Reiser moved to Hyland, New Hampshire with their two children for the comforts of rural life. But when the local police chief comes looking for their seventeen-year-old son Jacob to question him about the brutal murder of his girlfriend, the Reisers' lives begin to unravel.
A compelling story that will capture you in the opening scene and hold you through its shocking conclusion, Before and After is a stunning novel that pits parent against parent, brother against sister, family against community, blood loyalty against law-as "deep questions of loyalty, honesty, and love are forced to the surface in this psychologically riveting tale." (Library Journal)
Review
"Powerful...provocative... unabashed, read-until-dawn page-turner." The New York Times Book Review
Review
"Masterful...makes us realize just how enigmatic ordinary things like family love and loyalty are. What more can we ask from a work of fiction?" Entertainment Weekly
Review
"Chilling...Brown writes beautifully and believably, capturing anger, doubt and bewilderment...As gripping as a well-spun murder mystery-only here the mysteries are inside." People
Review
"Fierce, gripping and painful...a scrupulously observed work of literary fiction." The New York Times
Review
"Readers will remain immersed in Brown's gripping story... mesmerized by the questions she raises and by the brave, intelligent, compassionate manner in which she deals with them." Publishers Weekly
Synopsis
Carolyn and Ben Reiser moved to Hyland, New Hampshire with their two children for the comforts of rural life. But when the local police chief comes looking for their seventeen-year-old son Jacob to question him about the brutal murder of his girlfriend, the Reisers' lives begin to unravel.
A compelling story that will capture you in the opening scene and hold you through its shocking conclusion, Before and After is a stunning novel that pits parent against parent, brother against sister, family against community, blood loyalty against law-as "deep questions of loyalty, honesty, and love are forced to the surface in this psychologically riveting tale." Library Journal
About the Author
Rosellen Brown is the author of four other novels,
The Autobiography of My Mother,
Tender Mercies,
Civil Wars, and
Half a Heart; a collection of stories,
Street Games; and three collections of poetry,
Some Deaths in the Delta,
Cora Fry, and
Cora Fry's Pillow Book. She lives in Chicago.